Hairstyles for a Receding Hairline

Hair loss can be a daunting thing and not something you really want to happen. But for some it’s inevitable. Whether you’re just starting to thin on top or going bald at the back, this guide will show you the best haircuts for a receding hairline.

Genetics, health, and even the products you use in your hair are all factors for the inevitable men’s receding hairline. From the outrageously expensive to the less pricey ways to regrow your mane, there are more options than you would think. There’s even a pill that promises slow hair loss, but it’s possible side effects will make you question if it’s really worth it.

If you want to embrace your widow’s peak, or just shave it all off, we’ll show you the best styles and haircuts for a bad receding hairline, with recommendations from Daniel Davies, Manager of Pall Mall Barbers, Westminster, and Livia, manager of The Legends Barbershop, Holborn.

Best Hairstyles for A Receding Hairline

Most guys are surprised to learn that it’s better to go short than growing your hair out if you’re experiencing thinning. It looks neater and prevents you from seeming like a man in desperation, clinging on to his last few freakishly long strands of hair. If shaving it all off isn’t your style, there are another few options for you to consider. It all evidently depends on exactly how much hair you’ve got left, but in most cases – the shorter the better. There are various short hairstyles that will work for a range of hair types, whether you’re dealing with course thin hair, curly thin hair or the most difficult to deal with, flat thin hair.

Short Back and Sides Hairstyles

This is a classic for a reason, it suits every man and can actually be styled many ways. It’s basically what it says on the tin, with the sides and back short and then the top having a little bit more to play around with. Thick haired men can have a long sweeping middle, and there’s also a shorter version called the French Crop, which is ideal for men with thinning hair and still has the same stylish contrast.

Undercut Hairstyles

This is a little like the short back and sides, but just that bit more intense. Most recently seen in Peaky Blinders, this hairstyle takes the contrast of the short back and sides and runs with it, and it’s likely you’ll need a razor to achieve the streamlined masculine look of this cut. So if you’re starting to recede around the top side areas, having a dramatically short side will look like this is the style you’ve gone for.

Receding hairlines can be hidden when it’s longer on top PHOTO CREDIT: Men’s Hairstyle Trends

Receding Hairline Styles

Widows Peak Hairstyles for Men

If you’ve already got a natural widow’s peak, your V-shaped hairline can become more obvious as your hairline starts to recede. Initially, it can be hidden well by growing the hair slightly longer at the front, but as your hairline starts to recede further it’s harder to figure out the right look.

While you could shave it shorter and attempt to replicate one of the styles above, we’d say it’s better to work with what you’ve been given! Chris Hemsworth’s haircut completely embraces his widow’s peak. He’s not trying to hide his hairline and there’s no sign of a comb-over, you can achieve his look by keeping your hair slightly shorter at the sides and longer on top.

It’s pretty easy to do and also hides any thinning on top. Just rub some hair clay roughly through your hair to give it some texture and height. Uppercut Deluxe is a good brand for this style because it’s re-workable and doesn’t leave you hair looking wet. You don’t even need a comb or brush for this ‘just rolled out of bed’ look, just your fingers!

Best Haircut for Receding Hairline

Hairstyles for Balding Men

When your hairline starts to recede your first thought may be to hide it, but instead, why don’t you lose it willingly instead of watching it slowly disappear? One of the best receding hairline haircuts is the simple buzz cut. A buzz cut can be a big change, especially if you’re used to having a full head of hair, but many guys manage to pull it off.

There are the usual tough guys like Jason Statham and Vin Diesel who wear the look well but don’t worry if you’ve not quite got the same ‘bad-boy’ vibe going on, you can still shave your head. Maroon 5’s Adam Levine still managed to keep his quirky image with a buzz cut.

There’s no reason you have to go to a fancy barber, or even your cheap local to achieve a shaved hairstyle, if you’ve got a decent razor, you can always shave your head at home. It might seem daunting at first, but with pre-measured razor heads, there’s no real risk of shaving off more than you wanted. It’s worth giving it a go.

Best Hairstyles for Thin Hair

If you’re lucky and are only experiencing a little hair thinning, once again, it’s best to go shorter on the sides and back as it creates an optical illusion making the top look thicker. There are a few different ways you can do this. Shaving the sides down to a lower grade will make the thinner hair on top look even thicker, however a tapered cut is a less harsh alternative.

If a bad hairline is receding as well as going thin on top, a long fringe may work. The top should be more layered to keep your hair looking thicker and avoid brushing hair forward right from the crown.

Another point to remember is that using too much product on thinning will only highlight it’s sparseness. If you do want to use a hair product go for a lightweight wax, mousse or cream that won’t flatten the hair too much.

Ryan Gosling has very fine hair but manages to keep it well styled PHOTO CREDIT: Men’s Hairstyle Trends

If you’re having issues with how to style your hair, there’re a few people you can take some inspiration from. David’s Beckham’s style is a good choice for men trying to keep their hair looking thick and full. The key is to not use too much product – a lightweight styling cream or lotion will hold the hair without weighing it down too much. Wet-look hair is dated and guaranteed to show the bald patches so it’s best not to do this.

For your facial hair, you want the style to match whats going on on top. If you usually go for a clean shave you should try Beckham’s medium stubble. It’s more than stubble, less than a beard and a little rough around the edges which are great if you want a more manly look. Don’t don’t just leave your stubble to grow out unkempt, though, keep it trimmed to and looking smart.

How to Stop a Receding Hairline

There are products and supplements out there that will claim to help with hair growth and prevention but sometimes it will just happen no matter what you try to do. If your hairline is still receding after getting your iron levels and vitamins in balance, sadly it’s probably male pattern baldness, and you’re going to have to style it out with confidence. You’ve done everything you can to slow it down, that is unless you want to go down the pricier cosmetic route. If you’re feeling brave you can try one of these more severe ways to stop a hairline receding but here are a few things that could help slow it down a little.

Manage Stress

If you’re too stressed or anxious, your body pretty much tells your hair to stop growing. Stress isn’t good for your body anyway, so trying to reduce it will benefit you in more ways than just your hair. If your stress levels become a serious problem you should speak to a doctor, but like most of us in this busy world, you probably just need to make time to destress and chill out. It might seem boring but your hair falling out is basically your body screaming, ‘look after me!’. Have an hour or more a day to yourself, relax and try to forget about everything that seems to be stressing you out. It’s easier said than done but taking just a little time out from life can go a long way.

De-stress by going for a run or releasing some energyPHOTO CREDIT: Pinterest

Non-Toxic Hair Products

How many people actually bother reading the label of the products they’re using? But there are so many chemicals that you just don’t need to be putting in your hair so its always good to check. Even your shampoo and conditioner could be doing more harm than good.

Baxter of California is a paraben-free brand that promotes strong hair. Their shampoo and conditioner contain nutrients that can sometimes be stripped from your hair when you use harsher products. Their grooming lotion can be used on any hair type, so if you’re struggling with thinning hair it may be worth giving it a go.

Daniel Davies recommends adding a sea salt spray, which is less harsh than moose, before blow drying to add volume to the hair if you are starting to look a little low on top. Matte styling products make the hair look thicker whereas wax has a shine that makes the scalp more visible, making the hair look thinner.

Baxter of California hair products are good for your hairPHOTO CREDIT: Baxter of California

Hairstyles for a Receding Hairline

Variations of the short back and sides and the undercut are great short haircuts for thin hair, so keep as much styled hair on top as possible.

Reducing stress and staying healthy can’t stop the receding hair line but could potentially slow it down.

If all else fails – shave it off!

Jude Law has a slight receding hairline but styles it well PHOTO CREDIT: Pinterest

On That Note

Thinning hair or a receding hairline doesn’t mean you can’t style your hair anymore. With the right cut and the right products you can still look good. There are many haircuts for a receding hairline, you just have to choose your cut and style more carefully. At whatever stage of hair loss you’re at there’s still some great styles to choose from that will hide, flatter the hair-loss, or simply embrace your hair… or lack of!